10 Recipes To Make When Everyone’s Hungry But Nothing Sounds Good

If absolutely nothing sounds good anyway, why would I cook? Guess what, family: We’re having girl dinner (a massive charcuterie board, a la Dude That Cookz). Throw together a big mish-mash of cheeses, meats, fruits, veggies, and chips you’ve been needing to clear out of the fridge and call it good (because it is good).

Carbs and cheese sound good even when nothing else does; personally, I lean into comfort food on nights everything sounds bad. Princess Pinky Girl’s chicken alfredo bake takes 30 minutes to throw together and get on the table. Throw some Texas Toast in the oven along with it, and I promise everyone will enjoy this dinner they thought they didn’t want.

Like cheese, bacon is one of those foods that can make people say “OK, yeah, that sounds kinda good.” Foodie Crush can teach you how to make the most satisfying, diner-quality BLT. Serve it with potato chips and fruit, because no, BLTs are not just a lunch food. Bonus points: They require literally five ingredients.

Damn Delicious’ sheet pan nachos are a perfect example of the recipe. Just brown up some ground beef, lay down some chips, and prep the toppings of your choice. My favorite part of making sheet pan nachos — other than how little effort they require — is that we can all just eat them straight off the pan, which means very few dirty dishes waiting for me at the end of the night.

Beans, cheese, lots of veggie layers — yes, I’d say All The Healthy Things’ seven-layer dip is a nutritionally complete meal (I am not a nutritionist). Having a few dips for dinner is an easy and fun way to get everyone to sit around the table and fill their bellies when they were groaning at the idea 30 minutes prior.

Sometimes when nothing sounds good for dinner, it’s because you’re running through a mental list of recipes you’ve been eating on repeat forever — you’re just sick of the usuals. Throw in a wild card, like this breakfast pizza from Family Fresh Meals. It’s easy, unexpected, and ready in half an hour.

Sometimes nothing sounds good because you’re craving one specific dish from your favorite restaurant. So, make that! For example, Averie Cooks has a banging copycat recipe to make your own southwestern egg rolls a la Chili’s. It’ll satisfy the craving and save you money to DIY ‘em, honestly.

When I can’t fathom roasting another sheet pan full of vegetables and the idea of turning chicken breasts into yet another high-protein recipe makes me want to weep, I just make enchiladas instead. Tortillas and a can of enchilada sauce are easy pantry staples to keep around. Princess Pinky Girl’s recipe is easy and cheesy and sure to please the whole fam.

Whether it sounds good at first or not, Damn Delicious’ kimchi fried rice is going to hit once you take that first bite. It’s loaded with flavor and ready faster than takeout could even get to your house, so a win on all fronts.

Again I say unto thee: Sandwiches with chips and fruit are a good dinner too! Budget Bytes’ ham and cheese sliders are perfect if you have a slab of Hawaiian rolls sitting in the pantry and some sammich supplies in the fridge. They’re just the right amount of effort and cheese to feel worth it on a night when nothing really gets you excited to cook.